A MUM who lost her treasured young daughter to a form of blood poisoning is warning other parents to be on their guard.

Andrea Walker is using the seventh anniversary – next week – of little Ellie’s death, from streptococcal septicemia, to reinforce the awareness message.

Mrs Walker, of Bar Lane, Riddlesden, urges people to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of meningitis and septicemia – illnesses which can kill within hours.

“At this time of year there are lots of colds and viruses around so it’s particularly important that people are able to recognise what could be meningitis and seek help urgently,” she said.

She says coping with the loss of Ellie ­– who would now have been ten – was still “incredibly difficult”, but that her efforts to raise awareness and help prevent other parents going through the same anguish had helped.

Symptoms of meningitis can include a high temperature, cold hands and feet, vomiting, spots or a rash and a stiff neck. For more, visit meningitisnow.org.